Pico Toning: The New Standard for Pigment Removal

Pico Toning

Pico toning is a laser used for pigmentation treatment, which irradiates energy in very short durations, measured in picoseconds.

This explanation might not be easy to grasp. It will be easier to understand if we compare it to general laser toning.

The laser irradiation time between the two procedures differs by approximately 1,000 times.

The basic principle of removing pigmentation is to selectively destroy only the pigment using laser energy. However, in this process, surrounding healthy skin tissue may also be subtly affected.

You would expect the brown pigmentation to lighten through the procedure, but you wouldn't want the adjacent normal skin to be stimulated and turn red.

Therefore, the key is to reduce the time the laser stays on the skin, efficiently destroying only the pigment before heat is transferred to surrounding tissues.

Of course, traditional laser toning is also a fast procedure, but compared to pico toning, its laser irradiation time can be considered about 1,000 times longer.

Is pico toning treatment alone sufficient, then?

No, it's not. The important point is that toning treatments do not solely depend on the equipment's performance. Even with the same equipment, significant differences in results can occur depending on the treatment method.

At our clinic, we perform pico toning treatments as follows.

Pico Toning: The Art of Precision

First, we utilize precision diagnostic equipment, not just visual observation.

To identify pigmentation, we use precise skin diagnostic devices such as Mark-Vu, Janus, and others.

Pigmentation within the skin has distinct characteristics. Even if it appears as similar brown spots on the surface, the type of pigment can vary by depth, which influences the treatment method or the selection of the appropriate laser wavelength.

With the naked eye, we can only see the parts that are exposed on the skin's surface. Deciding the laser wavelength based solely on outward appearance is not considered an accurate diagnosis.

Therefore, precise imaging is mandatory before consultation. Our medical staff diagnose your skin condition based on objective imaging data, not solely on experience.

Second, we adhere to the appropriate number of shots based on research findings.

'I received pico toning treatment.'

At our clinic, we aim to provide you with more specific details about your treatment rather than such a simple statement.

Research typically recommends more than 2,000 shots for low-power whitening laser treatments. If the necessary number of shots is not met, the treatment may have been performed, but the expected improvement may not be sufficient. This can lead to lower satisfaction compared to the time and cost invested.

We adhere to a standard of 2,000 shots and will confirm the total number of shots irradiated with you after the procedure.

Therefore, at our clinic, we recommend that you express it this way:

'I received 2,000 shots of pico toning treatment.'

Third, we do not apply the same intensity in every treatment session.

Toning treatments tend to be easily performed with fixed output values.

Since it is a low-power method, it may be difficult to visually notice the difference even if the treatment is performed with the same intensity every time. It's also not easy for patients to discern this, so there's a possibility that all sessions might be carried out with a once-set value.

However, pigmentation is gradually destroyed and lightens over successive sessions. Since the condition of the pigment changes with each session, performing the treatment with the same intensity every time may make it difficult to achieve optimal results.

We meticulously record the progress of each treatment session. Before each procedure, we review the intensity of the previous session and adjust and apply the appropriate treatment intensity again through a consultation on your skin condition for that day.

This is not merely about completing a set number of sessions, but a process that involves individual assessments at each stage.

Fourth, in each session, we reconfirm the area that concerns you the most.

Toning treatments typically require consistent progression over 10 or more sessions. As the treatments advance, pigmentation in some areas improves, while other areas might still concern you. Accordingly, the areas that you prioritize naturally change over time.

What would happen if we didn't consider these changes and performed the treatment in the same way every time?

Areas that are slow to improve might remain unsatisfactory. As treatment sessions progress, differences in improvement between areas can occur, potentially leading to uneven pigmentation remaining.

Before each treatment, we look in the mirror with you to reconfirm the area that concerns you the most on that day. This process is carried out not just in the first session, but in every treatment session.

If we merely confirm the areas but proceed with the same treatment method, the significance of the confirmation process could effectively diminish.

During the actual treatment, we focus more intensely on the confirmed areas by irradiating energy. We also meticulously treat delicate areas that are easily missed, such as around the eyes or the bridge of the nose.

We strive to thoroughly treat even those areas you might not have thought to mention, ensuring nothing is overlooked.

Fifth, we apply the Slow Lining Technique.

Toning treatments are generally less painful, and your eyes will be covered for safety during the procedure.

It can be difficult for patients to personally verify how the treatment was performed.

In some treatments, the handpiece is moved quickly to sweep over a wide area. While this offers the advantage of a shorter and more convenient treatment time, it's difficult for patients to know how thoroughly the treated area was addressed, as toning treatments leave no special marks immediately afterwards.

This method can lead to uneven delivery of laser energy to the skin. Certain areas might receive excessive energy, or conversely, not enough energy, compromising the uniformity of the treatment.

We meticulously apply energy to all areas of the face, slowly tracing lines. We ensure each shot overlaps appropriately, performing the treatment thoroughly without missing any spots.

From the practitioner's perspective, working slowly and meticulously like this requires significantly more concentration than performing the treatment quickly. Our medical team understands that a faster method might feel more convenient when considering efficiency.

Nevertheless, we adhere to this precise approach.

We carefully examine even the curved or easily creased areas of the face, ensuring nothing is missed.

During toning treatments, the role of the other hand, which isn't holding the handpiece, is crucial in determining the completeness of the treatment.

Hair around the treatment area must be carefully managed to prevent damage. Especially in areas like beside the nose or other curved, creased spots, the skin should be gently smoothed out while applying the laser. Otherwise, energy may not be properly delivered to the folded inner skin, potentially leading to hyperpigmentation in that specific area later.

If you have undergone toning treatments multiple times, you will understand that consistently maintaining such delicate procedures across the entire face during each session is not easy.

Because these meticulous processes are challenging, they can sometimes be overlooked.

We consistently strive to uphold these principles.

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Pico Toning Treatment Process

STEP 1.

We use the advanced Mark-Vu device to precisely diagnose the depth and distribution of pigmentation within the skin.

STEP 2.

Our medical team personally examines the patient's skin condition in detail and creates a personalized treatment plan accordingly.

STEP 3.

We adjust and set the parameters of the Pico Toning device according to the patient's skin type and the characteristics of their pigmentation.

STEP 4.

During the treatment, we continuously monitor the patient's skin reaction and finely adjust the laser output and treatment area as needed.

STEP 5.

After the treatment, we review the skin condition with the patient and provide detailed guidance on effective future care methods.

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Our Medical Team's Philosophy

Treating pigmentary disorders goes beyond simply using a laser; the results can vary depending on how precisely the patient's skin condition is diagnosed and how delicately the treatment is adjusted accordingly.

Especially for pigmentary issues like melasma, improvement is difficult with just strong energy treatments. We believe a delicate process is crucial: minimizing unnecessary skin irritation while precisely delivering the required energy to the target area.

Our medical team carefully observes each patient's individual skin reaction and consistently strives for personalized pigment improvement rather than a standardized approach.

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Post-Treatment Precautions

• You can wash your face and apply light makeup starting from the day of the treatment.

• It is recommended to consistently apply sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays.

• After treatment, your skin may temporarily appear red or feel dry. Therefore, paying attention to adequate moisturizing and skin soothing can be helpful.

• We recommend refraining from scrubs or other treatments that can strongly irritate the skin during the recovery period.

• If redness or skin sensitivity symptoms persist longer than expected, please contact our medical team for consultation.